Raw Deal. || Mason, Open.

It was early morning on the weekend as Stella navigated her way through the village and to the port. She suspected that most of the students were still back at the school sleeping in while the villagers set up their shops for the day. Clad in casual clothes, snug fitting light blue jeans and a short sleeve v neck pale purple t-shirt Stella felt the chill of the morning air moving to zip up a black professional looking jacket that she sported quite well.

With her black flats making light taps against the wood of the port, Stella came to a stop as she spotted the boat she was looking for. "Raymond?" Stella called out for the owner of the boat and a few seconds later scraggly well-fed man appeared from it's depths. "Ah, Estelle!"

Stella smiled at the mans presence, happy to see that he most recent trip had seemed to go well. "How are you? How is home?*" Estelle spoke in her native tongue, her expression warm despite the fact that she wrapped her arms around herself to stay warm. Raymond nodded easily, "Excellent as always dear, I spoke with your parents - they're doing quite well and would love to hear from you.*"

Stella shook her head, looking momentarily upset as she tucked some locks of her hair behind her ear. Today was on odd today to catch the teenager, for a girl that spent so much time keeping her appearance clean and tidy - she appeared quite casual and relaxed today. "I'd prefer not, you didn't tell them that we talk - did you?*" Stella asked the older jovial man quite suspiciously.

Raymond laughed, "If I did I doubt you'd know.*"

Shaking her head at the man, Stella nodded toward some packages that were in between the two of them. "Did you bring them?*"

Seconds passed and a light bulb clicked on in Raymond's head, leaning down the old man pulled some newspapers out of a stack - walking over to Stella and handing them to her. "I always remember, just for you dear.*" Raymond's tone seemed affectionate and fatherly as he spoke to the teenager, seeming satisfied Stella seemed to be clearly happy about his shipment.

With her lips spreading into a full genuine smile, Stella looked down at the newspapers in her hand - briefly observing the first few headlines that popped out on the page. "Thank you, thank you!*" Stella exclaimed to the older man, moving forward off the port briefly and into his boat to give him two light pecks on both cheeks. "I have to go, but I'll see you again Raymond!*" Stella moved off the boat just as quickly as she had gone onto it, waving at the old man as she started a slow walk back up the port.

[ooc; dialogue with * is in French. ]

ooc - I'm so sorry!! I hadn't realized this post was up!!!

ic - 
    Mason awoke, roughly grabbing his phone to turn off his alarm. He groan, rubbing his and yawning. He was stiff and sore from an awkward sleep against the wall, realizing that Lupo, like most nights, had decided to take up at least three quarters of the bed. His wolflike companion yawned and stretched as the alarm woke him up as well. "Get off you lazy mutt," he groaned, gently pushing his friend off the bed. It was a Saturday morning, so no classes, but was eager to get to the port for food. It was an anniversary, and he was going to spend his day preparing and cooking. He needed to get ingredients for Mediterranean Stuffed Swordfish, a specialty of his mothers. She loved to cook him a number of Greek dishes when she had the chance, but this dish was a favourite of his mothers cooking. 

    As he got out of bed, the sun was barely rising over the large trees. A picture of his mother rested on the small desk beside his bed. He looked at his for a while, causing Lupo to whine a bit. "I know mate. I miss her too," he said, before making his way to the shower. His daily routine was like any other day, and he dressed himself, like the fashion diva he was. He wore a pair of blue boat shoes, light grey pants with the cuffs rolled, white stripped button down shirt, and a blue jean jacket. Once satisfied with his appearance, the pair made their way to the ports.

    Upon exiting the castle, the sun had risen significantly. He twirled his staff, making it a glider. "Let's go boy," he say, leaping into the air, and flying off towards the port. He didn't fly quickly nor high, only flying a few heads over Lupo, moving fast enough that the dog had to run, but not sprint. The run was at least fifteen minutes, but the port was already busier than expected. It was mostly from the ship workers brings their loads from their boat to the stores across the port.

    Mason, not being that high up, jumped down from his glider, landing beside Lupo, rapidly twirling his glider to become staff again. "Good boy," he said, panting the dog on his head. The two walked through the pair, the smell of salt ocean air was quite different from the strong forest smell by the castle. He looked into shop windows looking for one that would sell fish. He had never been to the port before, but the calm atmosphere caused him to not pay attention to where he was going.


ooc - Mason's outfit

SPOILER: Click to show

As she was walking back, Stella remained quiet - admiring the newspaper from her home naturally curious about all the events she was missing and wondering if anything new and out of the ordinary was happening. Being so involved with what was in her hands, Stella was not aware of the canine that was in her way and let a soft noise of surprise as she ran into Lupo.

The teen cursed in French, looking down at the dog and then over to who she guessed was his owner. "Shouldn't you have a leash on it?" Stella asked Mason then - her eyes narrowing at the boy, realizing that he was a student at Foresta. It wasn't that Stella completely disliked dogs, in truth she found some of them cute. In a sort of messy, slobbery gross way.


It continuously baffled her that some students were allowed to walk around with their animals in the hallways. "Does it have it's shots?" Stella asked the boy, her tone slightly rude but not necessarily accusing. It was obvious to tell that she was uncomfortable with the dog, her standoffish behavior most likely being fueled by her questions along with the fact that she had just run into the thing.

    Over the port, there were a number of different shops and businesses, not as much as there were in the town, but still more buildings that expected. He had come to the port expecting to find the freshest fish, thinking a new catch would be better than one caught a few days ago waiting in town shops.

    "What do you think about this one?" he asked his companion, trying to peer into the window, with a strong scent of fish drifting through the air making it a promising building. As he stopped, Lupo sat beside Mason, wagging his tail gently and patiently.

    He was pleased to see that the building was open, and notice a person walking out with a few fish wrapped in paper. Before he could walk in however, a woman walked into Lupo, causing him to jump up and yelp from being stepped on. The sudden irritation from the girl took Mason off guard and caused him to be a bit defensive.

    "He doesn't need a leash. You were the one who walked into him," Mason replied, a bit snarky in reply. Lupo was a constant and dependable friend, and insulting him was as if you insulted a brother he would have. Her apparent distain or opposition to Lupo, and through association Mason himself, made a confused looked on his face. He starred at the girl, raising an eyebrow. 

    "Yes, he has his shots," he said unimpressed. "And I wash him. And  he's clean of fleas, ticks, and other bugs. It, by the way, has a name. It's Lupo." There was a hesitation, but not wanting to provoke or further escalate the situation, Mason swallowed his pride and held out his hand. "And I'm Mason," he finished with a smile. "Good morning."

Stella's green eyes narrowed at the boy as he replied to her questions, she was fully ready to get into a verbal argument until the teen introduced himself as Mason. With her face scrunching up in confusion, Stella looked down at the dog and then looked back at Mason's out stretched hand. "Charmed," Stella replied taking Mason's hand with a light shake, her French accent revealing itself momentarily.

"I'm Estelle Roux, but you may call me Stella."

Moving the papers that she had been holding in one of her hands underneath her left arm, Stella looked around the area they were in before focusing back on Mason. "So, tell me Mason... What brings you to Port Albion so early? When I left school I only saw the teachers awake and walking around." Stella inquired easily after Mason's personal business, in fact if he had anything superbly interesting to tell her she might even consider chatting him up a bit.

The only thing Stella had planned for the rest of the day was going back to either the library or the student lounge and reading up on the newspapers she found and then attempting to do some kind of homework she was probably behind on. Pursing her lips, Stella looked down at Mason's dog once more - watching the animal as if it were going to jump at her at any second.

    Mason took her hand and shook firmly but not with unnecessary force. He smiled at her, clearly hearing her accent. He chuckled to himself. "An Englishmen, and a French woman. Always fun," he thought to himself, amused by the stereotypes and playful jokes the two people had against each other.

    Now that Mason saw the girl clearly, he could see that she as quite beautiful. Her outfit casual but stylish, and her face angular though remaining soft. He starred for a moment or two, always one to appreciate beauty, male or female. He noticed how she kept looking down at Lupo, who patiently and peacefully sat beside Mason, occasionally sniffing the air, or wandering around him to explore, only to return beside Mason. It was the only thing that bothered him, otherwise, he was pleased to meet another student.

    "Don't worry about him," he said with a comforting smile, nodding slightly towards the large dog. "He's very well trained." He gave Lupo a couple pats on his head before turning back to Stella. He blushed a little as she asked him about his day, more to himself then anyone else. He had never thought to explain him actions to someone else. He hesitated for a moment, debating if he should bother to tell.

    Ultimately deciding that he had nothing to be hide, and that he refused to be embarrassed by his mother, he spoke. "I'm looking to buy some fresh fish. Swordfish to be specific. Was looking for fresh ingredients. I know the school provide meals for staff and students," he added. "But it's kinda of a special day. An anniversary of sorts. I want it to be sorta special," he chuckled, rubbing the back on his neck. Another pause. "It's for my mother," he decided to add, not wanting to look foolish or untrustworthy just having met someone. "Mediterranean Stuffed Swordfish was her favourite."

    Despite thinking he wasn't going to be embarrassed, he couldn't help by shy away slightly. "Anyway, what are you up to? Up to much, or do you just enjoy wondering the piers weekend morning?" Mason added a bright smile.

As Mason took her hand, Stella took this moment to really take a look at the boy in front of her - her eyes running over every inch of his frame in a quick sort of manner. She would remember his face now and recognize him any time she saw him walking around the school. It wasn't like she had any particular power that pertained to this, but Stella was just naturally good with remembering people - it was why reporting and journalism interested her so much. The affairs of other people held great appeal for her.

As he reassured her about his dog, Stella shook her head "If you say so," she replied to the boy - still not feeling confident, but deciding to focus on Mason instead. As he explained why he was in the port area, Stella's brows raised a bit in surprise - absorbing the words and very happy that he gave up the information so quickly.

In the distance quite a few yards away, a young boy chuckled to himself while observing Stella and Mason. "Stupid older kids," he mumbled then - stretching his arms out wide and shifting easily into a hawk.

"I don't think I've ever had that before," Stella said to the boy then. Had she ever even eaten anything with the word swordfish in it? "That's very sweet though," she complimented the boy then, the corners of her lips turning upwards into an easy and pleasant smile. As Mason asked about what she was doing in the port, Stella hesitated for a moment - shying away from revealing her real reason. In just a short amount of time, she moved the newspapers she had from under her arm to her hand - debating on whether or not to show Mason.

The debate stopped quickly though as out of no where a hawk dipped down, it's talons grabbing a hold of the newspapers that were bundled up and pulling them out of Stella's hands in one quick motion. "No, shit!" The teen let out as her reason for being at the port was yanked out of her grasp.

"I need those!" She said to Mason in a rush then, turning to run after the hawk that had grabbed her newspapers.


[ooc; I was hoping to make the wait worth it xD; they can chase after the trouble maker!]

    A warm a gentle breeze passed between the two students as they spoke to each other, their conversation become more and more casual. Perhaps it was because he wasn't expecting to have much of a conversation today, but Mason found himself enjoying the newfound company of the girl. He returned the smile she gave him, and let out a small chuckle. Mason stood patiently as he watched Stella, her face torn between a few options, though what exactly he couldn't tell. He was so engaged in trying to figure it out and waiting for her response, that he didn't notice until the last second, a hawk dived between the two and pulled the newspaper out of Stella's hand.

    He reacted quickly, keeping his eye on the bird as Stella mentioned the importance of the newspaper. "Follow her," he told Lupo as he noticed Stella dash off after the bird. The large wolfdog gave a small bark of understanding before running after Stella. He moved quickly, easily catching up with the girl and keeping pace with her. Like Mason, Lupo kept his eyes on the bird, and it was clear that he had no interest in harming or bothering Stella, but rather helping her.

    His companion with Stella, Mason quickly swirled his staff a couple times, releasing the wings folded in the body of the staff. He crouched and launched up, a small gust of wind underneath him to help get him in the air. He quickly picked up speed, flying low at first. His shadow past over Stella and Lupo as he flew past them, only a few heads above the pair. "I got it," he called out to her. "Make sure she doesn't run off Lup," he told his dog, teasing Stella a bit.

    On his glider, Mason pulled up, gaining altitude to match that of the bird's. The birds actions surprised Mason, as he had never heard of a hawk coming so close to people, especially for a newspaper. Food he could understand, but not this. And it was a hawk, so it wasn't as if it had bad eye sight.

    Mason climbed higher in the air, going above the bird, and sped up, flying directly above it. Mason spun in the air, and upon completing the turn, kicked his legs out and send an invisible blast of air, which hit the bird directly in the centre of its back. He had expected the surprise for concentrated air to startle the bird, so it would drop the rolled newspaper. He had not, however, expected the bird to be a student. Upon his airblast making contact, the hawk turned into a student, who started falling from the sky.

    "Of course," he said to himself, as he dove after the boy, quickly catching up with him. "Turn back, mate!" Mason yelled. "I-...I can't...!!" he said, screaming.

    He forced the wings on his glider to close, turning back into his staff and he fell head first towards the ground. Because of his weight and with minimum resistance, Mason fell faster than the boy.

    A meter above the ground, Mason twisted and kicked his legs out, sending an air blast towards the ground. It was an audible blast of air, and though it didn't stop Mason's fall, it slowed him down. He still landed on the ground hard, but kept his momentum. The moment his feet touched the ground, he rolled forward dropping his staff, and then to standing, punching his fists in the air. 

    The build up of momentum sent a similar air blast upwards this time, towards the boy, though this time it was from his hands, not feet. Similar to Mason, the air didn't stop the boy from falling, but slowed him enough that Mason could catch him. "Ooofff," he grunted, as the boy landed hard in Mason's arms.

    Mason dropped the boy on his feet and saw that he was still fairly young, and the startle must have caused him to lose focus on his transformation. The falling towards his potential death didn't help either, and Mason suddenly felt bad, realizing that this kid must not be able to fully control this power yet. "Just hand over the paper mate," Mason said, holding out his hand. Still shaken, the kid put the now wrinkled paper (from clutching onto it while falling) into Mason's hand.